化合物信息

Drug Groups

approved; nutraceutical

Description

Xanthophylls are yellow pigments from the carotenoid group that are widespread in nature. They are present in egg yolk, algae, and petals of yellow flowers, among other sources. The xanthophylls include lutein, zeaxanthin, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, and α- and β-cryptoxanthin, of which lutein is the primary ingested one.

Indication

Xanthophylls are taken for nutritional supplementation, and also for treating dietary shortage or imbalance.

Pharmacology

Lutein was found to be present in a concentrated area of the macula, a small area of the retina responsible for central vision. The hypothesis for the natural concentration is that lutein helps protect from oxidative stress and high-energy light. Several studies show that an increase in macula pigmentation decreases the risk for eye diseases such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Affected Organisms

References

External Links